The boy had been staying at Knapp House Activity Centre in Northam near Bideford on a week-long "Summer Holiday Campout" residential trip organised by the Devon Narcotics Anonymous (NA) charity.

Police were called at 2.55pm yesterday to reports of a missing boy at the venue who, following an extensive search involving a force helicopter, located the child in a swimming pool.

He was taken to North Devon District Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

It is the sixth such trip to have been organised by the charity at the venue.

What is Narcotics Anonymous?

The Narcotics Anonymous logo

Narcotics Anonymous is a non-profit, non-religious society of men and women "for whom drugs had become a major problem".

Groups meet regularly to help each other stay clean as part of a program of complete abstinence from all drugs.

People of any age, race, sexual identity, creed, religion or can join.

The primary service provided by Narcotics Anonymous are the weekly local meetings.

Each group is autonomous, organising itself according to a series of 12 principles common to the entire organisation.

Meetings, which take place in rooms rented from public, religious or other organisations, may be 'open to all', meaning anyone can attend or 'open to addicts only', meaning only for people who want to address their own drug problems.

What happens at a Narcotics Anonymous Summer Campout event?

Local branches of Narcotics Anonymous organise several holiday trips each year for their members.

It offers them a chance to be with their families and children in a drug and alcohol-free environment where there are plenty of activities on offer.

The website for the camp in Bideford, which costs as little as £70 for a week, says: "Come and join us for more fun and fellowship in the stunning Devon countryside.

Knapps Housem, scene of the tragic death of a young boy

"Our beautiful private site is just 5 minutes from the long sandy surfing beach at Westward Ho! With its arcades, go carts, crazy golf and shops. The historic towns of Bideford and Appledore are also very near by.

"There's a free minibus to the beach. We're offering three meetings per day with all the usual celebrations, including a spectacular bonfire meeting.

"We have a children's activities tent, a free crèche, and organized activities for older children at evening meeting times, a supervised swimming pool, on site catering, and free tea and coffee."

Speaking yesterday, a spokesman for Devon Narcotics Anonymous Campout Committee said: "For the sixth year running, we have organised a week-long summer holiday campout for members of Narcotics Anonymous and their families at Knapp House in Northam, near Bideford, and for the sixth year in a row, we have all enjoyed a wonderful week of sharing lives of complete freedom from drug and alcohol use.

"Our members have enjoyed the wonderful setting, visits to local beaches, and as has been true throughout out our relationship with Knapp House, great service from them.

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"One of the activities we organize with Knapp House is the supervised use of their swimming pool with their trained lifeguards.

"Very tragically today, something has gone horrifically wrong, and a young child of one of our members drowned in the pool. We are not aware of the exact details of how this happened, and the police are obviously investigating.

"As a committee, we have worked tirelessly to try to provide a fabulous event for our fellow NA members, and we are devastated that a truly wonderful week has ended so tragically.

"We find all attempt at expressing our sorrow and concern for the parents and siblings of this child inadequate, but as is normal in our fellowship, they will have plenty of support as they face their tragedy.

"In Narcotics Anonymous, we share no specific religious beliefs, but the entire campsite formed a circle, held hands, and prayed for the family and their lost child."